The Retriever, Dog, & Wildlife Blog

The too free dog

The very notion that a dog ought to have some autonomy over itself is an anathema to many self-styled “dog experts.” Many have been raised with the mantra that the dog must be subordinate at all times to the whims and often mercurial desires of man in order for it to live a nature existence. They have taken the ethological term known as “dominance” and stretched it into a kind of “drapetomania for dogs.” If a dog tries to assert itself against the absolute wishes of man, then it must be dominated at all costs in the same way that the runaway “suffering ” from Dr. Cartwright’s “affliction” deserved a good flogging.

The sad thing is that humans are prone to being egomaniacs, and far too many egomaniacs have dogs. In some ways, the fact that dogs can be submitted to human desires makes them the perfect objects for such egomaniacs to act out their pathology. Of course, they don’t just do it to the dogs themselves. They also do it other dog people. I have seen the dark underbelly of “dog people,” and although one wishes not to dwell on negativity, I have seen a lot of things that are utterly lamentable and are very difficult to expunge from my consciousness.

There are people who want to take away the things that actually give others joy. There are people who cannot appreciate an unleashed dog running about an autumn forest, who have never seen how happy a golden retriever is when she’s covered in mud, and who cannot accept the fact that not all dogs like doing what their ancestors were bred to do.

Some dogs are like Ferdinand the bull, Though descended from long lines of Spanish fighting bulls, all that Ferdinand the calf ever wanted to do was to sit under the cork oak and smell the sweet flowers. One day– which just happened to be the day that the men who selected the fighting bulls came by to evaluate the young bulls for fighting prowess— poor Ferdinand moseyed over to hit favorite cork oak for a good flower smelling session. As he lowered his haunches to the shaded ground, he just happened to sit on a bee, which of course stung him. Ferdinand raced around in terror and pain, and the bull fight men thought he was a great fighting bull and hastened to take him to the bullfight. The day that he was brought to be fought, everyone thought Ferdinand was going to be a holy terror, but all he did was sit down n the middle of the arena and smell the flowers in the women’s hats.

A dog may be of a certain breed. It may have nothing but trial champions in its ancestry, but all it wants to do is something else.

People hate this. If you buy a certain breed, it’s like buying a brand. And if one buys a particular strain, it’s like buying a particular model.

If you bought a car that didn’t do what you expected, you’d return it quickly or have it worked on until it finally started running the right way.

Many dogs have exactly this same problem.

People want them to be a certain way, and they aren’t. They send them to trainers, who do all kinds of “training” to rejigger the dog until it realizes why it was created in the first place. Or at the very worst, they get sent back to the breeder as a “defective model.”

Dogs are not machines, and there is a definite ethical consideration about dogs that simply does not exist for cars.

Dog culture celebrates the brand, not the individual, and it takes someone with a lot of intestinal fortitude to go against all the judgmental bromides and allow a dog to be.

Dog culture is not about letting a dog be. It’s about the dog being as a reflection of the human in his or her particular society. It’s in this respect that we have served the dog most poorly.

The dog that is too free is dog that is to be scorned. It exists beyond our human egos casting shadows into the ethology of dominance. It is unconquered. Still part wild, part savage.

It is the dog in its basic animality, still the ranging predator, still a beast.

Fantastic! Actually I think many dogs MIGHT be better behaved if they could only blow off some steam their own way once in awhile. Too many dogs are forever at the end of a leash, and over corrected; not for important things, but stupid things. Rolling ( unpleasant but one of the few things some dogs get to do to please themselves), sniffing along a walk, looking at other dogs across the way, etc.

It’s crazy. Training a dog is one thing. But some people seem to be saying they’d be happier with a robot.

I couldn’t agree more. For one of my dogs, Bentley, it’s absolutely essential that he gets to blow off steam his own way. He LOVES to run, and MUST run to stay happy and to get his extra energy out. Jogging with me won’t do the trick. He needs a field, off leash, to stretch his legs. No amount of training will “fix” that. Once he’s had a good run though, he’s much better behaved, and much easier to train. In fact, if he’s having trouble when we’re training, I’ll encourage him to run around like a nutjob for a couple minutes to get it out of his system.

Humans are also very paranoid creatures,if a dog is given even a lick of freedom. Surely their baby will be hit by a car,killed by a wild animal,stolen,used as dog fighting bait,attack someone or be poisoned.

Now getting a training ego to back that up,and you get a dog that’s never let off leash or left alone for even a minute. With negative or positive training it always seems to be the same,whether it’s based on dominance or “responsibility” and paranoia it tends to bring the same results.

It’s a fine line between paranoia and taking precautions to keep your dog safe from what are real dangers. That fine line is common sense, which is unfortunately not that common. Ditto with training but allowing the dog to be a dog and regimenting it’s every move. Dogs are supposed to be our companions rather than captives.

So true. My chocolate Lab is one high energy lady and needs to burn off her energy, so we joined an agility group. Great exercise and allows me to “try” to get her to focus. The first couple of times we went to a competition she spent her time visiting the judges. *sigh*. Labs are by nature social animals. (we only do this for fun). When I made a comment to my friend who was there with a Golden, she said, “If you were serious about agility, you wouldn’t be doing it with a Lab.”. Ouch! But so true.

However, take her outside to do anything and she is totally different. The first time I ran the Iron Dog with her, she was totally focused. We ran in a muddy creek, through a smoke filled house, in the lake, etc. She was in her element. We now do tracking which allows her to use her brain.

What is really interesting is that after an hour of tracking she is exhausted, but she could run around an agility course for hours. Apparently using your brain is more tiring.

I really enjoyed your story hemming! I hope your friend didn’t mean anything “ouchie” about her comment about seriousness.

But so what? The important thing is that you got the dog you wanted. A lot of people get herding breeds with the thought of making it big on the agility circuit, but then they don’t do well because the dog doesn’t enjoy that particular activity. What do they do then? Get rid of the dog?

I would bet some do!

I don’t depend on dogs for a living, like a cattle rancher or something. So for me it’s the dogs first, activities second. I don’t get a dog to do agility. I do agility for the dog!

My kelpie enjoyed agility, but not after the first few runs. Some days he tired of it and stressed. A group practice actually involves more waiting-your-turn than real activity, and he finds waiting around a bit frustrating. He doesn’t show it by acting out. He just sort of gives up and lays there.

Also the indoor practices made him more prone to lying down or diverting with the slightest command to sit and wait; sniffing around, etc. He’s so sensitive. He lights up much more outdoors, but finding outdoor places to practice my way is next to impossible.

So, frisbee it is! He’s much happier with his disc, or nosework. And if he’s happy, then I’m happy.

A lot of people are into only one breed or sport, and seem to speak to everyone else as if all people are like this. They just assume it. I think that assumption speaks to their inflexibility as much as never trying another breed or sport. Personally I find interest in and admiration for a number of breeds and types. Variety is the spice of life! I can’t understand missing out on so much of what life has to offer! Dogs have any number of things to teach us!

I don’t really think this post was meant to be a debate about letting dogs run off-leash. (I hope!) That’s a whole ‘nuther topic. To me, it was more about letting the dog pick it’s niche rather than trying to shove a square peg through a round hole. Been there, done that and it doesn’t always work out very well. Not with dogs or horses, BTW. Today I’m much happier giving the dog lots of things to try, then (maybe) doing more of whatever makes the dog happy. I have one herding dog who hated herding, but loved agility and hikes. The other herding dog would do agility and obedience (because I asked) but was forever rolling his eyes and giving me the “Really? You want me to do that AGAIN?” look. Then we tried herding. WOW! Bottom line, follow the path that makes their tail wag and their face light up.Then you can both be happy.

Yes rontuaru, so right, nothing makes me smile more than seeing my dogs excited and happy about doing what they love to do. My little pack go absolutely nuts when they see a tennis ball, forget about having a leash, they are so concentrated on the tennis ball, to the point that that is all they see. I love throwing the ball into some long grass and watching how excited they get trying to find that ball. We do obedience with them, with Belgians it’s a must, that is the second thing they absolutely love – they are so excited to meet all their dog pals and as soon as class starts, they sit up straight with such a happy look on their faces, if they wag their tales any harder whilst doing their class it would wag off their behind. Trying agility as soon as the pups are old enough, although the older ones still enjoy it. Next will be tracking and herding, but so far everything i’ve tried with them they love and can’t wait to try new things out. it’s fun for them and also for us. I must agree though that it seems sad to see dogs on the end of the leash who have to walk so solemnly by their owners side without being allowed to sniff or move freely, they look so sad – And this is coming from someone who does obedience work !! Somehow to me its akin to someone who has a newspaper but isn’t allowed to read about what is happening in the world …. sigh

Crating is basically learned helplessness. You’re supposed to leave the puppy alone if he whines and cries in the crate, until he gives up. Quickly he learns that resistance is futile, and learns to be quiet when caged.

As for the argument that the crate is a wolf’s den: being separated from your mates at 8 weeks and locked in a small cage mimcs “den life” about as well as forcibly flipping a dog on his back replicates the actions of an “alpha wolf”.

That is not the only way to crate train. It isn’t necessarily learned helplessness.

I’ve seen that approach more often with bird dogs tied on up a chain gang. There is at least one “method” that begins all training by chaining a puppy, usually alone, and abandoning it until it stops fighting, howling and whining. The drop tethers from a chain gang are usually about 18″. (I do not do this.)

Obviously, you disapprove of the use of crates. I would, too, if I looked at it that way. I am not trying to convert you.

For me, crates have been a useful management tool in various circumstances. They also provide a measure of safety and security when transporting dogs. And if any of my dogs have to spend time in a veterinary clinic, they won’t have the added stress of being caged for the first time in a strange place among strangers while sick or injured.

My dogs travel a lot, and they love their crates. In the car, the crate keeps them safe, and it also means to the dog that they’re going someplace to have fun (tracking, field work, etc). At home, the crate is the dog’s own private place. Mostly the door is open, there’s a nice soft bed there, dog can go in and out as he pleases. A crate (often a lightweight soft-side version) is almost essential for motel stays, for dog events, etc. My pups start out in a crate next to my bed– they know they’re not alone, and I can get up and take them out for potty break as needed.

M.R.S., agreed–dislike of crating seems to be fashionable these days, but if you participate in dog sports or travel much with your dog at all, I am not sure how you do without one.

I am showing two dogs in Novice Jumpers tomorrow morning–one jumps 12 inches, the other jumps 16 inches. The (indoor) ring is about as far as it can be from the parking lot, and Novice is a small class. And I am not an early riser. So the sequence of events will be arrive, put two dogs in crate, run in with crate so I can walk my course, walk course, get dogs out of crate to potty, put 16-inch dog back in crate, warm up 12-inch dog, run 12-inch dog, treat and cool down 12-inch dog, get 16 inch dog out, warm up 16 inch dog, run 16 inch dog.

If it’s a cool day, they will probably go hang out in their crate in the car (which is bigger, and being IGs they like to share anyway) after Jumpers is done, and I will help with some of the other classes (my Masters dogs are not entered tomorrow) until later in the day when one is in Open Standard and the other in Novice Standard.

Not sure how I am supposed to do all this without a cruel, cruel crate.

All dogs should be crate trained. Period. All crate-training is is teaching a dog to be in a confined space without have a spaz attack. You don’t have to keep the dog in the crate. There are many ways to crate train a dog.

I’ve seen too many dogs that had undergone ortho or other extensive surgery that ended up being drugged to the gills during the recovery period because they had NOT been taught to settle themselves in a confined area. Vets really hate dogs that carry on while they’re confined during a stay, long or short, at the clinic. They stress out all the other dogs, besides what they’re doing to themselves.

Life is not all roses and lollypops. Dogs can easily learn to tolerate things that are not superfunhappytime. My dogs like their crates, even though all they do in them is eat. They go in voluntarily all the time, which is damned hard to do if you are ‘helpless.’

I don’t mind crates or even letting the pups learn to accept it. As people have said, they have many practical uses. But the proper way to teach a pup is supposedly to put him in it for a few minutes at a time, not to just lock him up forever! Of course, considering that people use it for housebreaking and teaching dogs not to wreck things in the house, that few-minutes-at-a-time method needs to be done quickly I suppose. A few minutes on, play, a few minutes, play, a few more minutes, more more, it’s often best if you do it after playing and eating and pooping, so they are tired when they go in, and can just chew on some toys in there and fall asleep.

What I DON’T like is when crates are abused. I know people who go to work and leave dogs in their for 8 -10 hours!!!! Not fair!

Reminds me of watching toddlers that are strapped in their strollers for far too long. I see kids squirm and stretch to get out and start crying. Some of this is temperament. Some kids are less calm than others, but I would expect ANY little baby to have a lot of energy and need to explore, and thereby find too much strapped-in time frustrating.

I’m sure a lot of babies are stuffed into strollers, straps, car seats and playpens far too much. It’s convenient for a lot of today’s busy parents. THey seem to forget kids need exercise, then they wonder if their kids have ADD and probably seek pharmaceuticals! Bleah!

I totally agree. Don’t abuse it and that goes for the crate, the dogs and the children too. My Tibetan Mastiff is crate trained and puts himself in the crate, waiting patiently/expectantly, when he knows a meal or me leaving the house is iminent. I don’t call that learned helplessness. Anti crate people tend to see what the minority f idiots do with a neutral tool and presume everybody uses it that way.

Oy! I apologize if this is a double reply, since I see you moderate comments. I haven’t used my WordPress account in probably 3 or 4 years, so had to go through the whole password reset rigamarole.

Anyway, thanks for the thoughtful post. I agree in not pigeonholing dogs by breed, if I read you correctly. (As I type, the evening buffoonery has ensued between my lab, flattie, and basset.)

I found your blog whilst researching flat coated retrievers. We adopted Cooper from a shelter in August, and he may be a flattie. Not sure, but definitely has strong traits of one (aside from the white spot on his chest).

I’m looking forward to perusing and returning! And, good to see you’re from the great state of West Virginia. I am as well, and living there now. :)

Breeders who actually do things with their dogs understand that all dogs are individuals and place them accordingly. Individuals who do things with their dogs buy from breeders who title their dogs in their chosen sport to increase their odds of getting the correct dog for their needs. Dogs that don’t show aptitude are sold to pet homes where they don’t have to do anything.

One of my biggest pet peeves are breeders who advertise their puppies as excellent prospects for agility, obedience, therapy, S&R, protection, herding, ect, because their breed is supposed to be good at those things, and their dogs have nothing but conformation titles. Or no titles.

Another thing that many people don’t seem to get is that training IS freedom. My dog can come to my grandmother’s retirement community for lunch with me because he is well behaved and can hold an out-of-sight down-stay in my grandmother’s room while we eat. My dogs can sit outside with me unfenced while I do yardwork because they don’t run up to and jump on passers-by. I’m allowed out in public because I follow rules as well. Rules are a fact of life.

If most of your experiences with dog training people are with the “dark underbelly,” you need different friends. You need to come out and see the once petrified shelter dog that is now an agility champion. You need to come see the 3-legged dog that was left for dead compete in agility and rally. You need to come see the dog up for adoption competing in dockdogs by the donations of strangers. You need to see the trainer of champion dogs when she trains with the 4H kids. You need to come out to my local agility trial where we are reminded every morning before competition: “The most important thing is to have fun with your dogs, and if only one of you is having fun it had better be the dog.” There’s MUCH more to training and competing with dogs than what you describe.

Wow, this is an eye opener. Fortunately I have not been around a lot of “performing” dogs, or their people. Yes, seen people who shouldn’t have dogs, just as they shouldn’t have kids. I am happy to report that my four boys, all big and rescues of different breeds, all do things they love to do–and are all well behaved–how on earth did that happen?

We all did early obedience. Yogi’s version of “down” resembled road kill. Buster’s final exam performance of “heel” consisted of him dropping a bit too far behind, and then goosing me, much to the cheers of the onlookers. Woof, part Border Collie, decided to go over to the agility side at breaktime and jump throught hoops. Blackie, a Newfie, is 100% Newfie.

They have 10 acres to roam but rarely go far from wherever I am. They all lnow what is expected in public. How do they know that? I venture to say that they were trained with love and humor. We learned mutual respect, appreciation and tolerance–heck, they even tolerate me!